Dogs In Chernobyl Are Genetically Distinct After Years Of Radiation Exposure
Why the dogs in chernobyl are genetically different than other dogs in the world
Even though it has been 37 years since the chernobyl disaster there are still dangerous levels of radiation in the abandoned city of pripyat, Ukraine. While most of the humans were relocated, the surrounding areas to the chernobyl power plant are home to generations of dogs. By the latest count, about 800 semi-feral dogs are living in the areas surrounding chernobyl.
In a new study, scientists looked to find a better understanding of the unusual dog population living in the harsh environmental contamination around and inside chernobyl. With blood samples taken from the stray animals between 2017 and 2019, the scientists analyzed 302 dogs living inside the power plant and around 9 and 28 miles from the disaster sight. Just by looking at the DNA of dogs living close to chernobyl it was clear that they were genetically different than dogs elsewhere in the world. Researchers believe this is because of the ionizing radiation they have been exposed to for generations. In total, this new research found that the dog population contains 15 complex family structures that were unique compared to other dogs.
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https://interestingengineering.com/science/radiation-dogs-chernobyl-genetically-distinct
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